Suspect surrenders in Phenix City shooting death

Eric Jones, the suspect in the early Sunday shooting of Johnny L. Walton, 36, turned himself in to Phenix City police around 3:20 p.m. Monday, police said.

Jones, 20, had been in contact with police through his attorney during the day, and he appeared with his mother at the police station when he turned himself in, said Capt. Frank Ivey.

“He’s being charged with murder,” Ivey added. “He did not make any statements whatsoever.”

Jones is accused of fatally shooting Walton around 2:40 a.m. while riding in a Cadillac Deville on the U.S. 280 Bypass near 13th Avenue, Ivey said. Walton was in the front passenger seat and Jones was behind him. The two were arguing, and at some point Jones shot Walton in the chest as the older man was turned toward Jones, Lt. Warren McLoughlin said.

The driver, who was using his girlfriend’s car, drove to a 12th Street home for a phone to call 911, Ivey said. That’s the last time Jones was seen prior to Monday afternoon.

The driver then took Walton to The Medical Center, where Walton died. He was pronounced dead at 3:43 a.m., Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. said.

Police took the car from the hospital but have since returned it to its owner, Ivey said. A weapon believed to have been involved in the shooting is also in police possession.

Columbus’ first homicide of the year happened on Jan. 1, when Desmond Gunn, 21, was fatally shot around 4 p.m. over an argument about a dog. Jayaray Wilson, 27, is being sought as a suspect in the shooting.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for unlimited digital access to our website, apps, the digital newspaper and more.